Wildcats, Griffins take early UCLAA victories

MANILA, Philippines - The National College of Business and Arts Wildcats and the Colegio de San Lorenzo Griffins pulled off big wins yesterday to kick off their respective title campaign in the eighth Universities and Colleges of Luzon Athletic Association (UCLAA) basketball tournament at the Marikina Sports Complex.

CJ Catura hit 13 points as the Wildcats trounced the Lyceum-Alabang Pirates, 72-60, while Yves Nicolas tallied a game-high 18 points as the Griffins routed the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies cagers, 95-73.

The Wildcats, coached by Edgardo Alejo, bucked a shaky start and broke away from a 13-all game behind their full-court press, seizing a 28-21 lead through Eljon Limpin and Daniel Lasco.

Francis Manzano canned in a pair of charities while Limpin scored on a drive in the last 1:28 of the third period as the Wildcats pulled away at 48-35.